USPTO Patent Reclassification Services

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) for market research purposes to gather information on potential vendors for "expert" level reclassification of patent documents using the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system. The goal is to support the USPTO's mission of examining, granting, and disseminating patents and trademarks. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or a commitment to award a contract.

• The primary objective is to obtain full "expert" level reclassification in CPC of patent documents.

• Vendors are expected to understand and apply CPC classification rules, including warnings and notes, and consult CPC definitions.

• The CPC scheme is revised regularly, and contractors must adapt to updates, reclassifying documents into new or revised subgroups within four weeks of receipt or by the USPTO's effective date.

• Expert classification requires identifying and classifying potentially novel and unobvious subject matter, including subcombinations and unclaimed subject matter.

• Responses are due by 3:00 PM ET on July 7, 2026.

• Submissions should be via email to Christina.Cassan@uspto.gov and Jennifer.Hudson@uspto.gov.

• Responses should not exceed five pages.

• Required information includes: Vendor Name/Address, Point of Contact, Website, Client Base (including Federal customers), Capability Statement, Unique Entity ID (UEI), socio-economic designation, and business size under NAICS 541990.

• Vendors must answer four specific questions regarding their knowledge of the CPC system, their reclassification process approach, their approach to expert-level classification, and their method for providing justification for CPC allocations.

• Not specified in this RFI, but the USPTO contemplates utilizing the Alternative Competition Method, suggesting a limited number of qualified vendors may be selected for a future solicitation.

• All costs associated with responding to this RFI are at the responding party's expense.

• Submitted information becomes Government property and will not be returned.

• The Government is under no obligation to provide feedback on submissions.

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

• The USPTO may choose to meet with potential offerors for further clarification.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide "expert" level reclassification of patent documents in the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system to support the USPTO's mission of examination, granting, and dissemination of Patents and Trademarks.

• Perform reclassification services for published documents with existing CPC classification symbols that are affected by scheme revisions or other reclassification needs.

• Select documents for reclassification, which may include non-English language documents (English translation acceptable).

• Assign invention information classifications and any additional information classifications as directed by USPTO guidance.

• Provide textual rationale for each CPC allocation, not exceeding 150 words, to justify the selection.

• Manage projects, attend status meetings (teleconference or in-person), and provide timely reports.

• Timeliness is a vital requirement. Price adjustments (disincentives) will be applied for late deliverables, ranging from 10% to 50% reduction of the CLIN price based on the number of days late.

• Maximum acceptable error rate for document reclassification is 10% per batch.

• Repeated non-compliance with timeliness or quality standards may lead to non-assignment of work, non-exercise of option periods, or termination for default.

• Base Period: December 1, 2026 - November 30, 2027

• Four (4) one-year option periods through November 30, 2031.

• All work is to be performed at the contractor's site.

• Contractors must follow CPC classification rules, warnings, and notes unless advised otherwise by the Government.

• USPTO will provide updated CPC schemes and definitions monthly, which must be implemented within four (4) weeks of receipt.

• Contractors will be compensated based on the total number of unique patent documents reclassified and accepted by the Government.

• Invoicing is only permitted after Government approval of submitted batches.

• Government may provide guidance, which must be implemented within two (2) weeks of receipt.